Where Do You Stand Now?

[ecdriver711]

Ditto

So you get off trashing all concepts you like or just this one?

 

[Rickb]

In reality any news is good news, but the unveil of the P5 is what will have real meaning by showing some actual progress in moving 1 additional P closer to production.

 

[farmerdave]

All in at $100, so I guess I'm not all in. I would say 5. They not only have to get to production, but sell enough cars right away to make some money. I'm just worried that this will be seen as a novelty and past the first 50,000 tree huggers, sales may drop off. I do hope not!

 

[Coss]

All in at $100, so I guess I'm not all in. I would say 5. They not only have to get to production, but sell enough cars right away to make some money. I'm just worried that this will be seen as a novelty and past the first 50,000 tree huggers, sales may drop off. I do hope not!

I don't think so. So many want the instant gratification and is why more reservations haven't happened. Lot of people want the see, touch, feel, drive it buy it. I think it will taper down after the first year and a half that it's available to the public. When it does slow maybe they'll have the export rules worked out and open those markets.

 

[Reid3400]

I don't think so. So many want the instant gratification and is why more reservations haven't happened. Lot of people want the see, touch, feel, drive it buy it. I think it will taper down after the first year and a half that it's available to the public. When it does slow maybe they'll have the export rules worked out and open those markets.

90% of the current generation need to be spoon fed with a semi-monthly payment plan. They need to be ripped off by someone charging them a $500 documentation free (for making out the bill) and another $500 stiffing them for undercoat, diamond coat and Scotchguard. They have zero interest in the price, just the payment. According to a recent financial study, less than 25% of new car buyers could figure out the total cost of their car after being given all the information they needed. EM will probably figure this out very quickly and provide alternative purchase plans.

 

[Horn]

90% of the current generation need to be spoon fed with a semi-monthly payment plan. They need to be ripped off by someone charging them a $500 documentation free (for making out the bill) and another $500 stiffing them for undercoat, diamond coat and Scotchguard. They have zero interest in the price, just the payment. According to a recent financial study, less than 25% of new car buyers could figure out the total cost of their car after being given all the information they needed. EM will probably figure this out very quickly and provide alternative purchase plans.

HAHA! As someone who worked at a dealership, you are right! Most consumers just wanted a monthly payment of 250-300. Now in my area, the DOC fee can't be anymore than $178, but overall you are right. The Doc Fee was actually created to pay the finance department. Really though, it's just a way to get more money.

Speaking of the total cost of a car, I saw a dealer selling an old accord on facebook. It was clean, but a 90 something model. Price was $2499 or financed at $500 down and $210/mo for 18 mos.....which equals 4280. I found that very entertaining. iirc it was about a 24% interest rate. Ridiculous, but people are bad with money.

 

[pistonboy]

I looked at buying a car a few years ago, and the sales person only talked about monthly payment amounts without discussing price.

Times have changed.

 

[Reid3400]

The last time (I think 2001) when I saw the doc fee, I picked up my plates which were on the desk and walked out to my trade-in. The "closer" followed me out and asked what I was doing. I told him I was taking my old car and going home. He took the entire doc fee of the purchase agreement. I think we have purchased 5 more vehicles from dealers since and never paid a doc fee. Never gone home without the car.

 

[Norahsbed]

HAHA! As someone who worked at a dealership, you are right! Most consumers just wanted a monthly payment of 250-300. Now in my area, the DOC fee can't be anymore than $178, but overall you are right. The Doc Fee was actually created to pay the finance department. Really though, it's just a way to get more money.

Speaking of the total cost of a car, I saw a dealer selling an old accord on facebook. It was clean, but a 90 something model. Price was $2499 or financed at $500 down and $210/mo for 18 mos.....which equals 4280. I found that very entertaining. iirc it was about a 24% interest rate. Ridiculous, but people are bad with money.

When I bought my used car in January the salesman started the conversation with, "I can get you into this vehicle for about $300 a month for 48 months" I whipped out my phone did a quick calculation and I said, "Why would I pay you over $3000 in interest, when I can just write a check." That's when the negotiations really started! They had an $800 dealer prep and profit fee and I asked them to justify it, they couldn't and I paid a lot less. They tried squeezing in a $150 finance fee and I refused to pay that as well. I wasn't financing the vehicle and the finance guy had to spend less than 10 minutes punching in some numbers. I got it reduced to $25. At one point I actually got up to leave, when they refused my first and only offer. I knew what I was going to pay before I walked in including average dealer prep, (theirs was about 35% higher) taxes and documentation fees. I actually paid $500 less than I had figured because the car needed new tires and I used that in the negotiation. The salesman made the mistake of saying the car had been on the lot for more than 60 days and if they didn't sell it that week with the $3500 price drop it would go to auction. I knew then they would accept my offer, it would just take them a minute to realize I wasn't paying a dollar more and I didn't.

 

[Jim H]

All in at $100, so I guess I'm not all in. I would say 5. They not only have to get to production, but sell enough cars right away to make some money. I'm just worried that this will be seen as a novelty and past the first 50,000 tree huggers, sales may drop off. I do hope not!

farmerdave, welcome to the forum and congratulations on making your reservation. Let me assure you many of us like and want the Elio because of its uniqueness, economy, and fun factor and has absolutely nothing to do with being a "tree hugger". Enjoy your journey with us